The soft morning light slipped through the thin curtains, scattering across the small room. A warm beam fell gently over Jina's face.
"Mmm…"
Her eyelids fluttered as she stirred awake, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. A faint headache pulsed in her temples.
Why… do I feel like this?
Her mind searched for an answer. Yesterday—I remember suddenly collapsing… and then—darkness. Nothing else.
Her hazy gaze shifted. That's when she noticed her brother.
Jun sat slouched in a chair beside her bed, his head lowered, arms folded, as if he had been guarding her through the night. The exhaustion etched across his face made her chest tighten.
…It seems like I worried him again.
"Brother?" her voice came out soft, uncertain.
Jun stirred at the sound, lifting his head. His eyes sharpened instantly, but upon seeing her awake, they softened.
"Oh, Jina. You're awake. How are you feeling?"
Jina flinched slightly, caught off guard by his sudden attention. "Ah—B-Brother! I… I'm fine."
Jun exhaled lightly, a trace of relief passing over his expression. "That's good."
He pushed himself up from the chair, stretching his stiff shoulders before heading toward the door. His tone was casual, but his words carried weight.
"Get ready. I'll make breakfast today. After we eat, we're leaving for the Royal Capital."
Jina froze. Her eyes widened as his words sank in."...H-Huh? The… R-Royal Capital!?"
Her voice trembled, filled with confusion and disbelief, but Jun didn't turn back. His figure slipped out of the room, leaving only silence—and the pounding of her startled heartbeat.
---
The atmosphere inside the Handol Hunters Guild was heavy with morning silence. Papers stacked high on the desk rustled softly as Armand flipped through them, his sharp eyes scanning each line with the practiced precision of a man who carried the weight of an entire branch.
So much to handle… and this is only one village. If something bigger happens, will this branch even hold together?
The door creaked open. Aldric stepped in briskly, bowing slightly before speaking.
"Vice Guild Master, the man who was investigating Lucian Jun… we found his corpse this morning. In the cave at the edge of the village."
Armand's hand paused mid-turn of a page. His gaze lifted, locking onto Aldric."...A corpse? Was Hunter Jun the one who killed him?"
Aldric shook his head. "There isn't any concrete evidence pointing to him. But…" he hesitated, his tone growing grim, "the dead man was confirmed to be a C-rank hunter. I don't believe Hunter Jun could've taken down someone like that."
"...I see." Armand leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping the desk lightly in thought.
The vice guild master's voice grew steady and sharp. "Regardless, keep a close eye on Hunter Jun's movements. If he's involved—even indirectly—we need to know."
"Yes, sir." Aldric nodded, then added, "And regarding the black-masked man… there's been no sign of him since that day. It's as if he vanished into thin air."
"Tch." Armand clicked his tongue softly, frustration flickering in his eyes. "Keep investigating. We need to find him soon."
"Yes, Vice Guild Master." Aldric gave a formal bow before turning to leave.
As the door shut behind him, Armand exhaled and rubbed his temples.
Damn it… every time I blink, there's another mess piling up. That kid Jun, that black-masked hunter, now this corpse… Can't Aldric handle at least one thing properly?
Still, when Aldric's voice echoed back in his memory, the truth lingered bitterly.
A C-rank hunter, dead inside a cave… What the hell is happening in this village?
---
The warm aroma of freshly cooked food filled the small house. Jun placed the dishes on the table, sitting across from Jina. They began to eat in silence until Jina suddenly spoke, her brows furrowed.
"Brother, why Royal Capital all of a sudden? Are we running again?"
Jun calmly chewed, then answered, "No, you're going to admit into the Royal Academy."
Jina's chopsticks froze mid-air, her eyes widening. "Huh? Royal Academy? All of a sudden?"
"Yep, Royal Academy," Jun said casually, still eating as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
"Why? I'm learning very well from you. So why do I need to go to the Royal Academy?" Jina puffed her cheeks in protest while munching.
"What do you mean by you're learning well from me? I just teach you the basics. To learn well you need to go to the academy."
"Nope, I don't wanna," Jina muttered while stuffing her mouth again.
"You'll have to," Jun replied between bites, his expression flat.
Jina suddenly slammed her hands on the table and shouted, "You've changed brother!"
The two glared at each other for a moment—Jun's deadpan face against Jina's exaggerated pout—before the air lightened, leaving the room filled with a strange yet warm silence.
A short while later, the siblings stood at the Handol village's post station. A glossy luxury stagecoach, far larger and more refined than the common ones, stood waiting for them. Its polished wood gleamed under the sun, and the insignia of the capital's transport guild was etched onto the side.
Jina tugged at her brother's sleeve and whispered nervously, "Brother, what are you doing? Isn't it cost 3 gold coins to go to the Royal Capital?"
Jun leaned down, his voice low but steady. "Don't worry. I have the money." His gaze flickered toward the other common stagecoaches filled with passengers. It would also be a problem if we rode with others. There's no telling whether someone from that family might be among them.
Jina bit her lip. "Are you sure, brother? I don't feel right though."
Jun placed his hand lightly on her head and smiled faintly. "Don't worry that much, Jina. Trust your brother."
"…Whatever." Jina turned her face away with a huff, though her ears reddened slightly.
The siblings boarded the stagecoach, the door shutting with a thunk. Soon, the wheels creaked to life, and the carriage began rolling toward the Royal Capital.